Reddy Bikeshare reopens for service in Buffalo & Niagara Falls, in partnership with Independent Health

Submitted

Tue, Apr 7th 2020 11:20 am

Cost to sign up for an annual pass is $1 through end of April

Reddy Bikeshare, in partnership with Independent Health, announced the rollout of Reddy bikes starting for the bikeshare program’s fifth season. As a key transportation provider, Reddy Bikeshare is considered an essential service under Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” executive order and will operate while taking every precaution possible amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are here for our community; Reddy bikes are a source of relaxation and physically distant fun to help people get through this extremely challenging time,” said Jennifer White, marketing and communications director for Reddy Bikeshare. “We believe that a daily bike ride delivers a sense of peace and comfort, and acts as a healthy break from this new normal.”

As an essential transportation service, Reddy Bikeshare is discounting the cost of annual passes by 98% through at least the end of April. Annual passes are now available for $1 (normally $55) with an additional cost of one cent per minute to ride. Anyone interested can visit reddybikeshare.com or download the Social Bicycles app to sign up.

“The world is changing moment to moment and yet our commitment to offering a healthy, active and sustainable form of transportation remains steadfast,” said Mike Galligano, CEO, Shared Mobility Inc. “Our team believes we need to unite as a community to support one another in order to get through this. We will provide this discount for everyone, and at that same time we are actively looking for ways to collaborate with delivery-related and other essential services. Sustainable transportation needs to be on the streets now more than ever.”

Additionally, the Reddy Bikeshare Fleet Team has increased cleaning and sanitation procedures. Frequently touched surfaces on each bike, including hand-grips, brake lever, seat and seat lever, U-locks and keypad, will undergo more rigorous cleaning and disinfecting. The Fleet Team is also wearing gloves and facial covers as members perform any maintenance.

Each Reddy bike is now equipped with a bottle of hand sanitizer for riders to use before and after their trip. Complimentary hand sanitizers are also available to the community while supplies last at stations located at Bidwell Parkway, Broadway Market, Delaware Park, as well as inside the Niagara Falls Amtrak Station. All hand sanitizers are courtesy of Independent Health.

Reddy Bikeshare and Independent Health encourage riders to do their part to stay safe and healthy by washing hands often and using hand sanitizer, wearing gloves as an added layer of protection, and to provide personal cleaning and disinfecting measures as seen fit by the rider.

The City of Niagara Falls, with funding from the New York State Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), has supported the development and deployment of Reddy Bikeshare’s Niagara Falls system. Beginning last fall, Reddy Bikeshare brought a new mobility option to the city with 31 stations and 145 total bikes. As part of its partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, Reddy Bikeshare has been able to offer all city residents $1 annual memberships to ensure affordability and access to the program.